Charlie gives his desires for a what he wants in a trade

-Jose Contreras had a PRP injection (platelet rich plasma). Could be awhile until he throws because Amaro said it's sore at the injection site.

-Joe Blanton had an ultrasound that showed some inflammation of his ulnar nerve (a nerve in his elbow). He'll have more studies done Wednesday to see if there’s more extensive damage. The big news here is what Amaro said about Blanton if he returns. “He may not [come back this year],” Amaro said. “And if he comes back, maybe he comes back in the bullpen. So we’ll see. I don’t know if we can get him stretched out enough in this stage of the game to get him back in the rotation. If the studies that he does allows him to go back on rehab and start a throwing program, there’s a possibility that he can come back, but maybe not as a starter.”

-Placido Polanco will definitely play in an 11 a.m. game Thursday for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. There is not an exact plan of attack after that, but Amaro thinks he’ll play in at least one more rehab game.

-Roy Oswalt, who we already knew would pitch Wednesday for the IronPigs, may make just that one rehab start. “I think we’re going to wait and see until he actually pitches and I think that could be a possibility,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “Oswalt is one of those strong-minded guys. When he feels like he’s ready, he’s ready and if he feels like he go out there and pitch and throw 85 pitches or 90, he probably can. I believe that. Being around him, I think that’s kind of who he is. And first of all, he did not miss very much throwing. He missed maybe three or four days. He’s always been throwing the ball, so he might surprise us.”

CHARLIE TALKS TRADES

Manuel said he has on-and-off conversations with Amaro about possible trades, but rarely goes into specific players he wants.

“[We talk in] more general terms,” Manuel said. “I hardly ever recommend somebody, but if I really love somebody, I’d be more open to him about it.”

The last time he did it? Cliff Lee.

And it certainly doesn’t sound like Manuel has anyone he would absolutely not consider trading.

“When you talk about untouchable, I haven't seen untouchable, and I love [Jim] Thome and Kirby Puckett and guys like that,” Manuel said. “As far as untouchable, if the right deal comes along and you got stronger, I might do something. Dodgers used to trade their best players; Atlanta Braves trade their best players.”

And while Amaro is tight-lipped about what his preferences are in terms of a trade, Manuel stated his case.

“Depends on how good the bullpen piece would be of course,” Manuel said. “But right now I'd probably lean toward a hitter. I'd like to see us definitely get better against left-handed pitchers.”